Tag: serenity

One way of describing sin in theological terms is to say that we sin by failing to be properly human. This happens essentially in two ways: 1) we fail to be human when we try to fly, meaning pretend we are more than human, that we are [a] God; and 2) we fail to be human when we refuse to stand up, meaning we are less than human, that we are [mere] animals or objects. A proper image of God, as God intended, is neither super-human nor sub-human, but simply human. Under the Creator; over the creation.

The serenity prayer captures this beautifully.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change… [because I am not God, you are!]

courage to change the things I can…[because that’s all any human needs to do!]

and wisdom to know the difference.[because this wisdom is essential for being human.]